Recently, at the invitation of Changan and Garage 42, the author went to Chongqing to conduct a static and relatively brief dynamic evaluation of the first product of Changan Shenzhen Blue brand’s first car, the Changan Shenzhen Blue SL03, which is based on the pure electric native platform EPA1. Earlier, we briefly introduced the static part, and now we present our complete observations and thoughts on the Changan Shenzhen Blue SL03.
The representative work of Changan design
Appearance: sporty and beautiful
The exterior and interior design of Changan Shenzhen Blue SL03 continues the high level of various new products within Changan Automobile Group: coordination and beauty are undoubtedly present. The cabin is relatively low, the tail is short and the side window area is relatively large, making it a two-and-a-half-box coupe. The overall body size is at the level of large compact cars while still maintaining a restrained sense of volume, expressing the intention of sporty design, which is in line with the mechanical structure of the entire rear-wheel drive series of this model.
The upper half of the split-type headlights of Changan Shenzhen Blue SL03 have obvious characteristics. The two ends of the through-type tail lights also repeat this feature, which is highly recognizable. The main headlight integrates projection lights and interactive lights (equipped with the high-end version) and is the most affordable model equipped with this type of configuration.
It should be noted that Changan Shenzhen Blue SL03 has three types of power: pure electric range-extender and hydrogen energy. The front face of the BEV/EREV models is almost identical with only slight differences in the lower edge opening of the bumper. Changan’s R&D department is quite proud of this achievement. After in-depth optimization of the thermal management strategy (the working condition of the range extender is relatively fixed, making it easy to control the excess heat generation), Changan achieved a win-win situation for aesthetic appearance, vehicle power, vehicle economy, and manufacturing cost.
The side doors of Changan Shenzhen Blue SL03 adopt a frameless structure, and the window glass is single-layered (without laminated glass), but the glass is thick, so the actual ride can still achieve good NVH performance. The tailgate of Changan Shenzhen Blue SL03 is an electric liftgate structure, and there is a fixed spoiler on it. In contrast, the Changan UNI-V uses a framed door, but it is equipped with an electrically folding spoiler.
There is a decorative protrusion on the front fender of Changan Shenzhen Blue SL03. In the top configuration model that will be equipped with advanced ADAS hardware in the future, this will be the installation location of the lateral perception camera.
The Changan Shenlan SL03 is equipped with 19-inch wheels and 245 mm wide, 45 aspect ratio tires, which are relatively large in size with a unique wheel design, making it a highlight of the side profile. However, the threshold is also wide, making it easy to scratch when getting in and out of the car, which is a bit regrettable.
Interior: Freshness that breaks the mold
When entering the interior, the author immediately noticed the 14.6-inch “sunflower” rotating screen. This screen will automatically tilt based on factors such as whether there is anyone sitting in the seat and the status of the car door, actively facing the passenger watching the screen.
In addition, the AR-HUD is also a relatively rare configuration in the sub-segment market; however, unfortunately, the software of the test vehicle is not the final state, and the display content and presentation method in the HUD will be greatly optimized during mass production. Therefore, we did not conduct a detailed experience on the AR-HUD this time.
The dashboard of the Changan Shenlan SL03 is very simple in design but has significant characteristics. In contrast, the Tesla Model 3/Y has a hidden air outlet with automatic swing function, with the overall air direction slightly upwards, which solves the problem of the air blowing directly onto the passengers’ stomachs when the outlet is placed too low. However, the author feels confused about the significant bulge in the center of the steering wheel; the airbag part may be better if it is lighter.
The Changan Shenlan SL03 is equipped with a 14-speaker Sony branded high-end audio system, which has good sound quality with a simple experience. The interior of the Changan Shenlan SL03 has only two ambient lights, one near the wireless charging dock on the auxiliary dashboard and the other around the roof light and button area, showing some restraint in the lighting design. In addition, some familiar parts borrowed from Changan’s existing models can also be seen, which shows the trace of Changan Shenlan SL03’s strict cost control.
As for the space for passengers, both the front and rear rows of the Changan Shenlan SL03 are generally spacious, especially the rear row, which is significantly more spacious than the UNI-V, and the distance from the floor to the seat cushion is reasonable, making it a good level for a pure electric sedan.
It should be noted that in future fuel cell version of vehicles, the hydrogen tank will only take up part of the trunk space, and the passenger compartment space will be completely consistent for vehicles with three types of power (BEV/EREV/FCEV).
Improved Ride Comfort
On the second day of the trip, the author went to the Western Test Center in Dianjiang County, Chongqing for a dynamic experience. Prior to this, the author had already ridden the extended-range version of the Changan Shenlan SL03 during the journey from the airport to the hotel. The well-developed H-arm multilink rear axle suspension system and the large suspension travel can easily handle the challenges of Chongqing’s fast-moving roads and city streets with many repairs, leaving a deep impression on the author’s good comfort performance.
At the dynamic square of the Dianjiang test center, Changan Shenlan prepared multiple field experience projects, including slalom, lane changing, acceleration and deceleration, and a short autocross. After the overall experience, the author found that although the Changan Shenlan SL03 does not provide a four-wheel drive version with dual motors, its power performance still belongs to a relatively strong level in its class, and the single-motor rear-wheel drive also provides a basis for a more enjoyable driving experience.
The turning feel of the Changan Shenlan SL03 has sporty tuning with a clear center and obvious weightiness during rotation. The “Comfortable Steering” mode can also provide a light steering feel, providing a suitable choice for some users who want easy driving.
The rear-wheel drive setting of the Changan Shenlan SL03 allows the tail of the car to slide slightly during the field experience, but overall, the rear-wheel drive feel is not strong, and there have been a few instances of inadequate turning (understeer), possibly due to two reasons:
1) Equipped with energy-saving tires;
2) The experienced model is a pure electric version, with the load more toward the rear.
Therefore, the extended-range version may have better performance. Of course, we also hope that Changan can quickly launch performance-oriented tires for users to choose, as good handling performance is also a form of safety.
Overall, the Changan Shenlan SL03 has good handling performance. The newly developed pure electric exclusive EPA1 platform provides SL03 with a higher technical foundation. As the flagship sedan product of Changan Group, the Changan Shenlan SL03 balances comfort and handling well and has some advantages over higher-priced models.
Beyond the Test Drive
During the experience activities, the organizers arranged various forms of communication sessions. Through these sessions, the author also learned some other information about Changan Shenlan.
Sales Plan for Shenlan SL03The Changan Shenlan SL03 will be put into production at the factory in Liangjiang New Area, Chongqing. After the completion of the technological transformation, the factory will achieve a production capacity of 35 JPH (vehicles/hour), and the current plan reserves a 1:1 ratio of extended-range and pure electric capacity. The manufacturer, Changan Shenlan, expects the sales volume of the extended-range version to be slightly higher than that of the pure electric version. In terms of manufacturing cost, due to the recent surge in power battery prices, the extended-range version is slightly cheaper than the pure electric version. In terms of price, Changan Shenlan hopes that the prices of the two versions will be as close as possible.
In terms of sales channels, Changan Shenlan plans to adopt the agency system. Dealers will no longer order vehicles from the manufacturer and then sell them to users. Instead, users can directly place orders with the manufacturer online, and dealers will provide services such as experience, delivery, and maintenance during this process. The terminal channels include order centers, maintenance centers, and delivery centers. The delivery center will integrate storage and delivery, and the order center will serve as an experience and exhibition center, divided into three levels: business district stores, supermarket stores, and pop-up stores. The after-sales services provided by the maintenance center will aim for quick and cheap service, providing users with a worry-free and convenient full-life cycle usage experience. From the current progress of investment attraction, most of Changan Shenlan’s dealers come from further investments by existing Changan dealers.
Follow-up models of Shenlan
Changan Shenlan’s second model is an SUV model built on the EPA1 platform, which will be launched in 2023. There will be a dual-motor four-wheel drive version, and an extended-range version, just like the SL03 Extended-Range version, with the new and improved Blue Whale Power JL473 series range extender. The four-wheel drive version will only offer the pure electric version. Compared with SL03, the size of the SUV model has increased, and the styling is said to be better than that of SL03. In addition, Changan Shenlan’s third model will be a cross-border SUV, which will also be built on the EPA1 platform. In addition, the fourth and fifth models are also being planned.
About the enterprise operation of Changan Shenlan:
Changan Shenlan, born out of Changan Automobile’s state-owned background and introducing external investment, is a new force in “automotive technology companies” with the strength of traditional car companies. The company’s top leaders have successful project experience with Changan Automobile (V brand), and many have been responsible for related work since the early development of the EPA1 platform. Changan Shenlan has an employee stock ownership platform, where the main leaders put their funds into the company (rather than the company giving them a portion of the shares) and there is also a project follow-up investment mechanism to fully mobilize the enthusiasm of the company’s management and all employees.
However, we take an observant attitude towards the long-term effect of this type of incentive.
Application of new technologies# Longan Deep Blue
Longan Deep Blue has technical reserves for new technologies including advanced driving assistance systems with city navigation, a chassis (CTC) integrated with power batteries, and large component die-cast bodies. Some of these technologies will be put into mass production in the near future. However, Longan Deep Blue maintains a cautious attitude towards CTC and die-casting body technologies, as the application of new technologies should not sacrifice reparability, increase user vehicle costs and risks even though it may reduce costs.
Conclusion
The impressive aspect of the SL03 from the test drive is mainly found in the “vehicle”, which is in line with our understanding of Longan as an old domestic brand. The intelligent aspects of the SL03 have not been deeply experienced yet, which is somewhat regretful. The conclusion remains consistent with our understanding of old domestic brands.
It must be said that the Chinese new energy market in 2022 is a very special place – “a local red ocean market in a high-speed growth stage.” As oil prices continue to rise and people’s awareness of new energy gradually increases, consumers have high expectations for new energy vehicles with high quality. Leading companies who entered the market earlier have already created well-known blockbuster products in recent years, and these models continue to strengthen their own attractiveness in the price range they are in as the market expands.
In the 200,000 to 300,000-market sector, new forces like Tesla demonstrate their unique strengths, while in the sub-100,000 market, MINIEV dominates the market, whereby brands and market feedback have shaped the current two-pole dumbbell market pattern where they don’t make profits but score points.
The compact new energy market between 100,000 and 200,000 is a relative uncluttered market under this “dumbbell pattern”. The Deep Blue SL03 just happens to fall into this range.
We can see Longan’s understanding of the market and effective execution in the SL03 model: an A + level rear-wheel drive sedan with a pure electric / extended range new platform, large space, high configuration, sports appearance, and comfortable riding. It fills a market gap while still meeting mainstream market demand and is not a niche new energy vehicle.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.